Accord rejects Imumolen’s endorsement of APC candidate, backs Adeleke for Osun poll

The Accord Party has dismissed the endorsement of All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Bola Oyebamiji by Christopher Imumolen, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, describing the move as politically inconsequential.

Imumolen, who has been described by Accord as a factional chairman, attended the APC campaign rally in Osogbo on Thursday, where he withdrew his support for incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke and endorsed Oyebamiji ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

However, Accord National Chairman, Maxwell Mgbudem, said Imumolen no longer represented the party and lacked the political structure and influence required to affect the outcome of the election.

Mgbudem said Imumolen had been expelled from Accord, arguing that his appearance at the APC rally further demonstrated that he was no longer affiliated with the party.

The Accord chairman described Imumolen as a “political hireling and hustler” and alleged that he had no political structure capable of influencing the election.

He said Imumolen’s endorsement of Oyebamiji therefore had no bearing on Accord’s chances in the Osun election.

“Osun State is an Accord stronghold. The people are in one accord with Governor Ademola Adeleke and will overwhelmingly vote for the party on Saturday, August 15,” Mgbudem said.

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He expressed confidence that Adeleke would secure what he described as a landslide victory, saying such an outcome would further strengthen Accord’s position in the state and enable the party to deliver more democratic dividends to residents.

The Accord chairman also accused the APC of resorting to intimidation and other tactics because of fears of suffering a major electoral defeat.

Mgbudem alleged that the APC had deployed violence, harassment and intimidation, as well as federal security and law-enforcement agencies including the police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), against the Osun State Government, residents and Accord members.

He alleged that the actions were aimed at weakening the state government and compromising the electoral process in favour of the ruling party.

“The good people of Osun remain resolute, firm and steadfast in their support for Accord and their governor,” he said.

Mgbudem called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain strict neutrality and ensure that Saturday’s election is conducted transparently and credibly.

He also appealed to international observers and diplomatic organisations, including the European Union delegation to Nigeria, the African Union, ECOWAS, the United States and the United Kingdom, to closely monitor the election.

He urged the international community to sanction any individual or institution found to have violated the rules governing the electoral process.

The development adds another layer to an increasingly competitive Osun governorship contest, with Adeleke seeking re-election on the Accord platform against APC’s Oyebamiji and other contenders.